Resources for Military, Law Enforcement, & First Responder Children
Growing up in a military, law enforcement, or first responder family comes with a unique set of challenges and experiences. Children have to learn early on about the meaning of sacrifice, resilience, and service.
Adapting to this lifestyle can be especially tough for little ones and teenagers alike — they’re members of a select group that understands what it’s like to miss a parent due to shift work, deployments, or emergency calls.
As a parent, it can be tough to know where to begin when it comes to helping your child understand and navigate this unique lifestyle, but luckily, you’re not in it alone.
Guardian Homefront has created this list of great resources to help you teach your kids about strength and adaptability while instilling a sense of pride in their family’s service.
Your Daddy’s a Police Officer
For children of law enforcement officers, understanding what their parent does and why they miss out on special moments can be difficult.
Your Daddy’s a Police Officer offers a gentle, heartfelt way to help children grasp the importance of their dad’s job.
Through engaging storytelling and illustrations, this book reassures kids that even when their dad is away, he is working hard to protect people.
Why I Must Go
For military families, prolonged deployments can be tough, especially for little ones.
Why I Must Go is a beautifully written book that helps kids understand why their parent has to leave and reassures them that their love remains strong despite the distance they’re experiencing.
With heartfelt language and relatable storytelling, this book encourages children to express their emotions while also fostering a sense of pride in their parent's mission.
A Hero Lives in My Family
A Hero Lives in My Family is an excellent read for children of first responders, military members, and law enforcement officers.
This book acknowledges both the challenges and the pride that come with having a parent in a service profession.
A Hero Lives in My Family helps children to see their parents as real-life heroes while also addressing the emotions they might feel when their loved one is away on a deployment or working in potentially dangerous situations.
This book is a wonderful resource for helping young children develop a deeper understanding of their family’s unique role.
Hero Mom
Heroes come in all forms, and many of them are moms who serve in the military.
Hero Mom is a wonderful book that honors the dedication and bravery of military mothers.
Through engaging illustrations and simple yet powerful storytelling, this book helps children understand that their mom plays an important role in protecting and serving, even when she’s far from home.
Hero Mom is a book that will help kids feel proud of their mother’s service and recognize her as both a hero and a loving parent.
Mommy Wears a Uniform
For children of military moms, Mommy Wears a Uniform helps them understand what it means when their mom puts on her uniform and goes to work.
This book acknowledges the sacrifices both mothers and children make while also reinforcing the love and connection they share.
Mommy Wears a Uniform is a wonderful resource for helping parents explain the importance of mom’s job and help kids feel proud of her service.
My Mom’s Deployment - Activity Book
When a parent is deployed, children often experience a mix of emotions — sadness, pride, worry, and confusion.
My Mom’s Deployment provides an interactive way for kids to process their feelings while staying connected to their mom.
Packed with activities, journaling prompts, and creative exercises, this book helps children navigate their mom’s deployment in a positive and engaging way.
I Am a Dandelion
Military children are often called “dandelion kids” because they are resilient, adaptable, and bloom wherever they go.
I Am a Dandelion celebrates the strength of military children who need to frequently move, make new friends, and embrace change.
This book reassures kids that while their lives may be different from others, their experiences make them strong, brave, and special. It’s a must-read for military families who want to help their children see the beauty in military family life.
Hero Dad
Just like Hero Mom, Hero Dad is a tribute to military fathers and the work they do to protect and serve.
Through simple, yet powerful words and engaging illustrations, this book helps children see their dads as real-life superheroes.
Hero Dad is a great book for helping children understand why their father is away while fostering a sense of pride in his role.
My Daddy is a Soldier
For children of soldiers, My Daddy is a Soldier is a heartwarming bedtime story that helps kids understand and take pride in their father’s service.
The rhyming text and soothing illustrations provide comfort, making it the perfect book to read when a child is missing their deployed parent. It reinforces the message that their daddy loves them no matter where he is and that his job is important.
You Are Never Alone
Growing up in a military, law enforcement, or first responder family can be uniquely challenging and sometimes difficult, but you don’t have to do it all by yourself — Guardian Homefront is here to support you with resources tailored to the needs of first military, law enforcement, & responder families along with peer support and special events that can provide you with a sense of comfort and community even when times are tough.
When you’re with Guardian Homefront, you are never alone.
